Some of North America’s most productive saltwater fisheries exist on Washington’s Pacific Coast. Imagine rugged shorelines that protect marine life, cold currents with high plankton content, and everything in between. From tiny baitfish to massive predators.
Knowing the inhabitants of those waters change how you think. No more random casting; it’s a game of strategy now. When you know your fish, it’s easier to decide what tackle to use and how to plan your meal.
You wouldn’t take a big rod and reel for a school of fish cruising wide open on the surface. You would, however, use one for a species that hug structure and puts up a hell of a fight. Because the geography defines diverse habitat types, the number of fish species found here are large.
Some roam the top layers while others hugs the bottom. So each trip is never exactly like another. These seven is among the most popular saltwater fish found off the coast of Washington.
We’ve listed them in decreasing order based on how they contribute to fishing culture here, as well as their popularity amongst anglers. All of these are challenging fish that present different characteristics if you’re up for learning. Washington waters is dominated by the seasonal talk: chinook salmon.
Top Seven Saltwater Fish in Washington
1. Chinook Salmon
These big, ocean-going fish migrates from the sea up into freshwater rivers to spawn. Along the way, coastal waters act as critical staging grounds. They gets bigger than any other Pacific salmon species, making them a popular focus for anglers.
Gear gets beefed up for these big runs down deep, and it can be a slug fest when hooking one. Timing your trip with specific run of the year, typically summer through early fall, is key to success. And it connects you with one of the state’s most famous natural resources.
2. Coho Salmon
If you like your fish fights more cerebral then sheer brawn, coho offer a different taste. Also known as silver salmon, these fish travel in close-packed schools, making them susceptible to trolling methods. When hooked, they fight in a wild-and-crazy fashion, leaping often while darting back and forth.
Their sleek silver sides shimmer against the black waters of the Pacific. Coho tend to stay grouped-up, which makes them easier targets for many anglers than their bigger cousins the Chinook. Action is fast and furious and heart rate stays elevated all day.
3. Pacific Halibut
For those Washington anglers who like to fish the bottom, nothing matches the excitement of Pacific halibut. These flatfish can reach massive proportions (200-plus pounders aren’t unheard of). Their preferred habitat include sandy bottoms where they hide beneath the surface waiting for an unaware victim.
Getting a bite often requires precise bait placement. Because these fish possess sharp teeth that slice right through weaker materials, heavy duty rods and strong lines is mandatory. Halibut battles aren’t explosive affairs; instead, it’s a matter of applying consistent pressure to pull them upward from their underwater homes.
4. Rockfish
The Rockfish category includes several species such as red snapper, yellowtail, and others commonly called blackrock, which hang out in kelp beds and other reef-like structures near the coast. That makes for some great sport fishing action for recreational boaters. Because different species of rockfish like to stay at different levels, it’s important for the angler to vary his/her vertical search pattern.
When caught, they’re firm, tasty fish, loved by anglers and cooks alike. Because there are many species in this group, you can pick the area best suited to catch your preferred size and flavor. A lot of folks like adding that strategic planning element to the mix.
5. Lingcod
The rocky reefs of Washington waters. Rocky reefs’ top predator is the lingcod. Armed with oversized teeth in a strong jaw and flexible spines (unlike most bony fish), they’re ambush hunters.
Lingcod don’t school like other fish; instead, they tuck into kelp or under a rock and wait for something tasty to swim by. Octopus or whole herring make great live baits. Things lingcod eats naturaly.
You’ll get an exciting battle as the lingcod takes a hard run right from the start… usually concluding shortly after either the hook tears out, or the line breaks. Because they’re so aggressive, lingcod can be a tackle-torturing thrill to catch…but only if your gear’s up to the task.
6. Pacific Cod
Another niche belongs to Pacific Cod.
A little larger but not as big than halibut, cod like it cold and they like to go deep. Solitary hunters, they depend on stealth more then speed to catch their food. The meat is mild and well suited to the dinner plate.
Catching them usually means using slow troll or bottom bounce methods. Both take careful attention to your depth finder and a good deal of patience. They reward persistence with solid fish catches when the other fish are hard to find.
7. Sturgeon
Saltwater fishing on the Pacific Coast of Washington adds a historical element, which comes from the sturgeon. These giant fish can reach extreme length during their lifetime and survive decades, making them ancient survivors. Anglers must use non-hook barbless techniques to protect these vulnerable populations due to strict conservation regulations.
Catching one isn’t so much catching as it is interacting and observing. Guiding them up beside the boat and feeling their rough scutes on your hands are memorable. It provides a connection between old marine history and present-day recreation that few other species can rival.
Each fish is a story unto itself, a sign of the character and health of our coastal waters in Washington. Which you decide to try for depends on what you’re looking for: A meal, some fun, or a way to help protect the resource? The answer depends on each person.
And they wait patiently in the water for the right time and bait.